BoscoS Homework rationale

"Homework provides students with opportunities to practice, review, and apply knowledge"(Hill and Flynn, 2006, p. 77).
The purpose of homework is for students to have an extended time to practice what they learned in class. Homework should be done independently or with minimal support from parents. It should allow students to feel successful and not frustrated. The purpose of homework is to have students practice skills for an appropriate amount of time for their grade level. As the student gets older, they will receive more homework. For ELL students, homework can be scaffolded for understanding with visuals or graphic organizers. If students do need additional support at home with homework, the directions can be sent home in the native language so families know what is expected. Students should understand why they are receiving homework and what the objective of the lesson is.
Feedback should always be given to students after they receive homework. This helps students understand why the homework was given and the importance of doing it. Students can check their work with each other, the teacher can go over the work with the class and they can see examples of proficiency. It is important to show students exemplars of proficient work so they know what is expected of them.
Technology can be useful for students to use at home for homework. Other than reading at home, there are websites that help students with phonics, decoding words and reading online. I give my students a list of links for them to look at to help with these skills if a computer is available for them. Also, Lexia, a reading program implemented at my school, is all done online. It helps individual students with the skills they need for reading. This program can also be done at home with a log in and password.